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Friday, 13 January 2012

Sugababes Star Amelle Berrabah Goes Solo in the Studio

by Bradley Stern

Nothing and everything has happened in the land of the Sugababes: The first incarnation of the group (Siobhan Donaghy, Keisha Buchanan and Mutya Buena) is reuniting, Heidi Range is busy twirling on Dancing on Ice, and Jade Ewen is busy painting Egyptian Queens and letting “Punching Out” just sit there and go to waste.
And as for Amelle Berrabah? Well, she’s heading into the studio…alone.
After launching an Official Amelle Berrabah Facebook page for herself earlier this week, the Suga songstress been tweeting about heading into the studio with Pete Kirtley, the UK producer responsible for “Now You’re Gone” on the Sugababes’ Taller In More Ways and “Strung Out,” which is featured on Mutya Buena’s solo album, Real Girl.
From Twitter:

According to what I’ve been told from a close source, the lead single will be produced by Kirkley, who’s also acting as the main producer for the project. Still no word yet on when we’ll hear the new tunes this year, however.
Regardless of her new solo ambitions, Berrabah insists the Sugababes are still very much in tact, so it seems the ladies are pulling an Aloud and busying themselves with solo projects during their hiatus.
Whether or not they’ll stay together as the Sugababes once the original trio finally re-launch? Well, that’s a whole otha’ spoonful of suga.

Practice makes perfect! Dancing On Ice's Heidi Range concentrates on her moves in attempt to avoid facing the boot again

Although her first dance on the rink wasn't spectacular or breath-taking, many agreed that it was a pretty good effort to kick start this year's show.

But last Sunday, Heidi Range found herself battling for her place on Dancing on Ice as she was left in the bottom two to go head-to-head with TV presenter Andy Akinwolere.

Fortunately for the Sugababe, she was saved by the judges, but determined not to sink that low again, she has been hard at work this week perfecting her moves.

Determination: Heidi Range was seen on the ice yesterday deep in concentration as she rehearsed for this week's live Dancing On Ice show

The pop star, 28, was seen on the ice during rehearsals for this weekend's live show with partner Andre Lipanov.

On the makeshift rink at the ITV studios in Elstree, Hertfordshire, Heidi, who looked very svelte in her black leggings and T-shirt as she practiced her spins and turns.

Safety first: Heidi uses a mat to practice the more difficult moves of her new routine

She looked deep in concentration as she bent her knees and flung her arms in the air, all under the watchful eye of Lipanov, who was then seen holding her in his arms as she spun round, her arms outstretched and her eyes closed.

It wasn't the best start to the show for Heidi who was forced to switch partners six weeks into training.

You spin me right round, baby! Heidi closes her eyes and looks safe and happy in Andrei's arm as they practice their moves

Her original dance partner was Sylvain Longchambon, was injured his bicep in rehearsals and was forced to pull out of the show.

Lipanov, who was brought in to replace him but he and Heidi had little time to practice together and get to know each other before the first live show.

East End girl: Laila Morse larks about with her partner Lukasz Rozychi & Mark their trainer

But after she was saved and has a chance to dazzle this weekend, Heidi has been practicing every day to make sure she avoids being in that situation this Sunday.

And she took to her Twitter page to reveal that she was doing really well and said: 'Heading back to the ice rink soon to get going on routine 2. It looks amazing, when Jane Torvill performs it that is!'

Moves like Jacko: Corey Feldman looked like he was trying to emulate his old friend Michael Jackson as he took to the ice to rehearse

'Just finished a great skating session with @AndreiLipanov and coach Mark, now I'm heading to the gym. Hope you're all having a nice day.'

And she tweeted her former partner and wrote: '@slongchambon Thanks. Think you might be pleased to hear that I didn't scream on the lifts today, just little yelps, haha. Progress!'

Live to skate another day: Heidi and Andrei went to head-to-head with Andy Akinwonlere last weekend - but were relieved as they were saved by judge Robin Cousins

Also seen at the rehearsal rink was Corey Feldman, fresh from partying with reality TV stars, as he took to the ice and showed off some moves reminiscent of his old friend, the late Michael Jackson.

And EastEnders star Laila Morse was also there and was seen larking about with her partner Lukasz Rozychi and Mark their trainer.

The second show in the new series of Dancing On Ice airs this Sunday at 6.30pm on ITV.

'Gutted': Andy Akinwolere became the first celebrity to be voted off the show

About Me

Followers

The Jade Ewen Story so far...

Jade Almarie Louise Ewen (born 24 January 1988) is an English singer, songwriter, actress and member of the Sugababes. Ewen began her singing career in the girl group Trinity Stone signed to Sony BMG in 2005, but they disbanded in 2007 with no album released. In 2009, she represented the UK at the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest performing the Andrew Lloyd Webber / Diane Warren penned "It's My Time" after winning the UK national selection. She achieved 5th place, cementing her as the most successful British Eurovision act since 2002. She replaced Keisha Buchanan in the Sugababes in September 2009, while at the time still signed to Polydor Records.

Ewen was born and brought up in Plaistow, London, to a Jamaican mother, Carol and a Scottish-Sicilian father, Trevor. Trevor is blind and partially deaf, while Carol is partially blind. Ewen was a carer to both her parents and two younger siblings, Shereen and Kiel.She received a scholarship to the Sylvia Young Theatre School. As a student at Sylvia, she appeared in The Bill, Casualty and Mr. Harvey Lights a Candle.Ewen also won the part of Nala in The Lion King at the West End at the age of twelve. Ewen appeared in the children's dance DVD, entitled How To Dance. She also featured briefly in the video for pop rock band Busted's "What I Go to School For".

Between 2003 and 2004 she appeared in the Australian series Out There. In 2005, Ewen became a member of the girl group Trinity Stone which was signed to Sony BMG. The group disbanded in 2007. She later recorded with rapper Kwamé, who was impressed with her work on MySpace. She released a digital single, "Got You" in 2008 under Kwame's Make Noise label. Ewen co-wrote the song "A Little Bit" for the girl group Booty Luv and also "Let Me Be Me" for Jessica Mauboy. In early 2009, Ewen acted in the first episode of the series, Myths.

In January 2009, Ewen was approached and participated in the UK national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2009. She was eventually selected to represent the UK with the song "It's My Time" composed by Andrew Lloyd Webber who accompanied her on piano onstage. Ewen was signed with Polydor Records in February and began working on her debut album. In May Ewen finished in fifth place, the highest placing for the United Kingdom since 2002.

In September 2009, it was announced that Ewen had joined the Sugababes as the replacement for Keisha Buchanan.While her second single, "My Man" had been released in the same week, promotional activities for the single were cancelled. Although the single still managed to reach #35 in the charts. In an interview with the BBC, Ewen confirmed her commitment to the Sugababes as her main priority and that her solo album was put on hold. "About a Girl" later debuted at number eight in the UK. Sweet 7 was released in early 2010 after multiple delays from late 2009, and charted at #14 on the UK albums chart. In late 2010 Jade was revealed as the new face of Miss Ultimo lingerie, modelling the lingerie fashion lines Autumn/Winter collection for 2010.

A Brief History of The Sugababes

Sugababes are an English pop girl group based in London, consisting of members Heidi Range, Amelle Berrabah and Jade Ewen. The Guinness Book of World Records have named the Sugababes as the most successful female act of the 21st century with six UK number one singles and eighteen UK top ten hits.

Sugababes were formed in 1998 by founding members Siobhán Donaghy, Mutya Buena and Keisha Buchanan. In 2001, after just one album and some initial success, Donaghy departed and the introduction of Range in the same year was met with the commercial success. The group survived a second line-up change in December 2005, when Buena left the band and was subsequently replaced by Berrabah. In September 2009, it was confirmed that after eleven years in the band, Buchanan was no longer part of the group and had been replaced by Jade Ewen.